Electronic apparatus

ABSTRACT

Provided is an electronic apparatus including a casing, a display unit, an electrostatic capacitive touch panel, a gravity sensor, and a step. The display unit is disposed in the casing, has a predetermined shape, and displays predetermined information. The electrostatic capacitive touch panel has a shape substantially the same as the predetermined shape and determines a two-dimensional coordinate indicated by an instructing object which has some conductivity and display of the display unit passes through the electrostatic capacitive touch panel. The gravity sensor enables detection of a perpendicular direction. The step is disposed along a side of the predetermined shape, is low on an inside of the predetermined shape and is high on an outside of the predetermined shape. A nullification region at which the two-dimensional coordinate is nullified is enabled to be disposed along the side and the nullification region is disposed along the side in a perpendicular direction.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No.2014-127380 filed Jun. 20, 2014 and Japanese Patent Application No.2014-179336 filed Sep. 3, 2014, the entire contents of which areincorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an electronic apparatus including atouch panel.

2. Description of the Related Art

An electronic apparatus such as a smartphone and a tablet, in which atouch panel is mounted, has come into wide use. The electronic apparatusmay include an electrostatic capacitive touch panel. The electrostaticcapacitive touch panel can receive “touch operation” performed bydirectly bringing a finger of a bare hand into contact with a surface ofthe touch panel and “hover operation” performed by causing a finger tobe positioned at a predetermined height from the surface of the touchpanel, without bringing the finger of the bare hand onto contact withthe surface of the touch panel. Accordingly, a user can perform anoperation with a finger covered with gloves in addition to a bare hand.

Examples of a touch panel of a type of receiving “touch operation” aredisclosed in Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. 2009-087311 andJapanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. 2006-323457. An example of atechnique of changing sensitivity of a touch panel in a perpendiculardirection is disclosed in Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No.2014-123288.

If an electronic apparatus having a step around a touch panel is heldwith a slope and used in the rain, rain droplets coming into contactwith the touch panel may flow along the touch panel and be collected aswater droplets in the vicinity of the step.

Particularly, water droplets which are collected in the vicinity of thestep may be incorrectly detected as an operation of a user in a case ofan electrostatic capacitive touch panel having high sensitivity forreceiving a hover operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, there is provided an electronicapparatus including a casing, a display unit, an electrostaticcapacitive touch panel, a gravity sensor, and a step. The display unitis disposed in the casing, has a predetermined shape, and displayspredetermined information. The electrostatic capacitive touch panel hasa shape substantially the same as the predetermined shape and determinesa two-dimensional coordinate indicated by an instructing object whichhas some conductivity and display of the display unit passes through theelectrostatic capacitive touch panel. The gravity sensor enablesdetection of a perpendicular direction. The step is disposed along aside of the predetermined shape, is low on an inside of thepredetermined shape and is high on an outside of the predeterminedshape. In the electronic apparatus, a nullification region at which thetwo-dimensional coordinate is nullified is enabled to be disposed alonga side and the nullification region is disposed along the side in aperpendicular direction.

According to the configuration, a nullification region is disposed alonga side of a touch panel in a perpendicular direction, on which waterdroplets are easily collected. Accordingly, when water droplets arecollected at a step which is disposed along the side, it is possible toreduce probability of incorrectly detecting the collected water dropletsas an operation of a user.

In the electronic apparatus of the present invention, a position of thenullification region disposed along the side in a perpendiculardirection may be changed depending on rotation of the casing and achange of the perpendicular direction of the casing.

In the electronic apparatus of the present invention, the height of thestep may be substantially constant regardless of the side of thepredetermined shape.

In the electronic apparatus of the present invention, the nullificationregion may have a predetermined width along the side and thepredetermined width may be substantially constant regardless of theperpendicular direction. According to the electronic apparatus of thepresent invention, the display unit may enable display of thetwo-dimensional coordinate and may not display the two-dimensionalcoordinate corresponding to the nullification region.

In the electronic apparatus of the present invention, the predeterminedshape may be quadrangular.

In the electronic apparatus of the present invention, the touch panelmay enable determination of the two-dimensional coordinate indicated bythe instructing object which is at a predetermined distance from thetouch panel.

In the electronic apparatus of the present invention, the instructingobject may be a finger of a person and the touch panel may enabledetermination of the two-dimensional coordinate indicated by the fingercovered with gloves which have an insulation property.

The electronic apparatus of the present invention may further include atransparent member that is disposed to be stacked on the touch panel andhas some transmittance. The touch panel is disposed between thetransparent member and the display unit.

In the electronic apparatus of the present invention, the transparentmember and the touch panel may be integrally formed.

In the electronic apparatus of the present invention, the casing mayhave an edge portion at at least one portion of the surroundings of thetouch panel and the step may be formed between the edge portion and thetransparent member.

In the electronic apparatus of the present invention, the display unitmay perform predetermined display at the nullification region.

In the electronic apparatus of the present invention, the predetermineddisplay may refer to filling of the nullification region with apredetermined color.

In the electronic apparatus of the present invention, the predeterminedcolor may be black.

In the electronic apparatus of the present invention, the filling withthe predetermined color may be performed to have some transmittance.

According to the present invention, a nullification region is disposedalong a side of a touch panel in a perpendicular direction, on whichwater droplets are easily collected. Accordingly, when water dropletsare collected at a step which is disposed along the side, it is possibleto reduce probability of incorrectly detecting the collected waterdroplets as an operation of a user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of anelectronic apparatus according to Exemplary Embodiment 1 of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of theelectronic apparatus according to Exemplary Embodiment 1

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a pressure detection unit,a display unit, a touch panel unit, and a transparent member of theelectronic apparatus according to Exemplary Embodiment 1;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of thepressure detection unit of the electronic apparatus according toExemplary Embodiment 1;

FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating a specific example of a strainquantity threshold value set in the electronic apparatus according toExemplary Embodiment 1;

FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating a specific example of a strainquantity threshold value set in the electronic apparatus according toExemplary Embodiment 1;

FIG. 6A is a diagram illustrating the positional relationship of thepressure detection unit on an operation surface of the electronicapparatus according to Exemplary Embodiment 1;

FIG. 6B is a diagram illustrating a strain quantity allowed to bedetected when touching is performed with the same extent of strength onan A-A line on the operation surface, in the positional relationship;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a control unit of theelectronic apparatus according to Exemplary Embodiment 1;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of anelectronic apparatus according to Exemplary Embodiment 2 of the presentinvention;

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example when a sampling interval fora two-dimensional coordinate is longer than a variation time of a strainquantity;

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a strain quantity obtaining processfor determination in the electronic apparatus according to ExemplaryEmbodiment 2;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a control unit ofthe electronic apparatus according to Exemplary Embodiment 2;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a strain quantityobtaining unit of the electronic apparatus according to ExemplaryEmbodiment 2;

FIG. 13A is a diagram illustrating a problem which is the assumption ofan electronic apparatus according to Exemplary Embodiment 3 of thepresent invention;

FIG. 13B is a diagram illustrating the problem which is the assumptionof an electronic apparatus according to Exemplary Embodiment 3 of thepresent invention;

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a function when the electronicapparatus according to Exemplary Embodiment 3 has the function of“selecting a coordinate obtained by detecting a touch which is performedlater”;

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a function when the electronicapparatus according to Exemplary Embodiment 3 has the function of“selecting a coordinate corresponding to a large threshold value”;

FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of theelectronic apparatus according to Exemplary Embodiment 3;

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a control unit ofthe electronic apparatus according to Exemplary Embodiment 3;

FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a strain quantitystability determination unit of the electronic apparatus according toExemplary Embodiment 3;

FIG. 19 is a view of the appearance on a front surface side of anelectronic apparatus according to Exemplary Embodiment 4 of the presentinvention and an enlarged view of a cross-section of a part of theappearance;

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an example of a strain quantitythreshold value in the electronic apparatus according to ExemplaryEmbodiment 4;

FIG. 21A is a diagram illustrating a problem in the related art;

FIG. 21B is a diagram illustrating the problem in the related art;

FIG. 22 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of anelectronic apparatus according to Exemplary Embodiment 5 of the presentinvention;

FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of anelectrostatic capacitive touch panel according to Exemplary Embodiment 5and the like of the present invention;

FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating detection states when a fingergradually approaches the touch panel according to Exemplary Embodiment 5and the like of the present invention;

FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating a detection area in the electronicapparatus according to Exemplary Embodiment 5 and the like of thepresent invention;

FIG. 26 is a perspective view illustrating an example of an appearanceof a front surface of the electronic apparatus according to ExemplaryEmbodiment 5 of the present invention;

FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view of the surroundings of an edge portionof the electronic apparatus according to Exemplary Embodiment 5 of thepresent invention;

FIG. 28A is a view of an appearance of the electronic apparatusaccording to Exemplary Embodiment 5 of the present invention when theelectronic apparatus stands up in a longitudinal direction;

FIG. 28B is a cross-sectional view of the electronic apparatus accordingto Exemplary Embodiment 5 of the present invention when the electronicapparatus stands up in the longitudinal direction;

FIG. 29A is a view of an appearance of the electronic apparatusaccording to Exemplary Embodiment 5 of the present invention when theelectronic apparatus stands up in a transverse direction;

FIG. 29B is a cross-sectional view of the electronic apparatus accordingto Exemplary Embodiment 5 of the present invention when the electronicapparatus stands up in the transverse direction;

FIG. 30 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the electronicapparatus according to Exemplary Embodiment 5 of the present invention;

FIG. 31A is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation ofdisplaying an icon in the electronic apparatus according to ExemplaryEmbodiment 5 and the like of the present invention; and

FIG. 31B is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation ofdisplaying an icon in the electronic apparatus according to ExemplaryEmbodiment 5 and the like of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Problem relating to Exemplary Embodiments 1 to 4

In an electrostatic capacitive touch panel, a two-dimensional coordinateobtained when water or the like is attached to a surface of the panelmay be caused to be effective. This problem may be avoided by detectingstrength of pressure applied to the touch panel and not detectingpressure due to attachment of the water or the like. For example, strainwhen water or the like is attached is detected by using a strain sensorand a two-dimensional coordinate when a detected strain quantity isequal to or less than a predetermined threshold value is caused not tobe effective.

However, even though the strain sensor is provided to prevent incorrectresponse, the strain quantity for determining that an operation on anoperation surface is effective varies in accordance with a location atwhich the strain sensor is disposed. That is, since the strain sensorhas a size smaller than that of the touch panel, a strain quantity at aposition of the touch panel far from the strain sensor is detected to besmall and a strain quantity at a position of the touch panel closer tothe strain sensor is detected to be large. For example, when the strainsensor is disposed at the center portion of the touch panel, a strainquantity at the center portion of the touch panel is large and a strainquantity at an end of the touch panel is small. In this manner, a touchoperation may be caused not to be effective in accordance with alocation on the touch panel.

Operability and incorrect detection have the trade-off relationship.Thus, as the strain quantity for causing to be effective becomessmaller, incorrect detection, for example, that an electrical noise orvibration which is not caused by an operation is determined to beeffective increases. On the other hand, as the strain quantity forcausing to be effective becomes larger, it is difficult to effectivelydetect strain at an end of the panel.

FIGS. 21A and 21B illustrate the above-described problems. FIG. 21Aillustrates operation surface 100 and strain sensor 101. As illustratedin FIG. 21A, strain sensor 101 is disposed at a position which is alittle lower than the center of operation surface 100 and an touchoperation is performed on an A-A line of operation surface 100, whichpasses through the center portion of strain sensor 101, with the sameextent of strength. FIG. 21B illustrates strain quantities detected bystrain sensor 101 at this time.

A touch position Pa on operation surface 100 corresponds to a positionon the A-A line at an upper end (an end on an upper side towards thedrawing is referred to as an upper end) of operation surface 100. Atouch position Pb corresponds to a position on a position of strainsensor 101 on the A-A line in operation surface 100. A touch position Pccorresponds to a position on the A-A line at a lower end (an end on alower side toward the drawing is referred to a lower end) of operationsurface 100. Since the touch position Pa is farthest from strain sensor101, the detected strain quantity is small, as illustrated in FIG. 21B.Since the touch position Pb is a position at which strain sensor 101 isdisposed, the detected strain quantity is large as illustrated in FIG.21B. Since the touch position Pc is a position with a distance which issubstantially half of the distance from strain sensor 101 to the touchposition Pa, the detected strain quantity is larger than the strainquantity at the touch position Pa and smaller than the strain quantityat the touch position Pb.

An operation effectiveness threshold value is set so as to determinewhether or not a touch operation is performed. Since the influence of atouch operation on strain sensor 101 is large at the touch position Pbwith surroundings 110 of the touch position Pb, a detectable strainquantity exceeds a threshold value although an operation with weak forceis performed. That is, effectiveness is caused although an operationwith weak force compared to surroundings is performed. The influence ofthe touch operation on strain sensor 101 at the touch position Pc is notlarger than that at the touch position Pb, but a detectable strainquantity by an operation with a little force exceeds the thresholdvalue. Since the influence of the touch operation on strain sensor 101is very small at the touch position Pa with surroundings 111 of thetouch position Pa, a detectable strain quantity does not exceed athreshold value and it is difficult to determine the touch operation tobe performed. In this manner, a strain quantity for determining thetouch operation to be effective on operation surface 100 varies inaccordance with the location at which strain sensor 101 is disposed. Thetouch operation may also have an influence on strain sensor 101 at thetouch position Pa by decreasing the threshold value. However, decreasingthe threshold value causes an incorrect response due to a noise.

Considering the circumstances, an object of the present invention is toprovide an electronic apparatus in which a two-dimensional coordinateobtained by an operation by an operation of touching any point on theoperation surface of the touch panel unit is caused to be effective anda two-dimensional coordinate obtained by water or the like is caused notto be effective when the water or the like is attached to the operationsurface.

Hereinafter, preferred exemplary embodiments for implementing thepresent invention will be described in detail with reference to thedrawings.

Exemplary Embodiment 1

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of anelectronic apparatus according to Exemplary Embodiment 1 of the presentinvention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the appearance ofthe electronic apparatus in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional viewillustrating a pressure detection unit, a display unit, a touch panelunit, and a transparent member of the electronic apparatus in FIG. 1.Electronic apparatus 1 according to this exemplary embodiment is appliedto a portable wireless device referred to as a smartphone, for exampleand a part functioning as a wireless device is not illustrated in theblock diagram of FIG. 1.

In FIG. 1, electronic apparatus 1 according to this exemplary embodimentincludes touch panel unit 2, pressure detection unit 3, unit fordetermining threshold value in operation surface 4, applicationprocessing unit 5, and control unit 6. As illustrated in FIG. 2,electronic apparatus 1 according to this exemplary embodiment includesrectangular casing 10. Touch panel unit 2 and display unit 11 aredisposed on the front surface side of casing 10. In this case, asillustrated in FIG. 3, regarding touch panel unit 2, pressure detectionunit 3, display unit 11, and transparent member 12, touch panel unit 2and transparent member 12 are disposed to be stacked on an upper surfaceside of display unit 11 in this order and pressure detection unit 3 isdisposed on a lower surface side of display unit 11. Touch panel unit 2and display unit 11 have a surface shape having an area a little smallerthan an area of the front surface of casing 10 and are formed with arectangular shape in a plan view. In this case, the area of touch panelunit 2 is a little smaller than the area of display unit 11. Touch panelunit 2 is disposed to be stacked on a display surface side of displayunit 11 and thus touch panel unit 2 is substantially parallel with thedisplay surface of display unit 11.

In FIG. 1, touch panel unit 2 employs a electrostatic capacitive typetouch panel in which an operation (referred to as a “hover operation”)at a height within a predetermined range is possible without aninstructing object (a finger of a user, a pen, and the like) beingbrought onto contact with an operation surface of touch panel unit 2.Touch panel unit 2 is disposed to be stacked on a display surface sideof display unit 11, passes through display of display unit 11,determines a two-dimensional coordinate (below, referred to as “touchcoordinate”) indicated by the instructing object having someconductivity, and outputs the determined touch coordinate. Touch panelunit 2 outputs a coordinate (touch coordinate) of the center of theinstructing object along the operation surface of touch panel unit 2 bydetecting the instructing object to control unit 6. Touch panel unit 2causes a perpendicular distance from the operation surface of touchpanel unit 2 to the instructing object to be included in the touchcoordinate when the touch coordinate is output. That is, touch panelunit 2 outputs a two-dimensional coordinate corresponding to a touchposition and a perpendicular distance to control unit 6.

In FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, display unit 11 is formed to have a rectangularshape and is used in display for operating electronic apparatus 1 ordisplay of an image and the like. A liquid crystal display (LCD), anorganic electroluminescence (EL) or a display device such as electronicpaper is used as display unit 11. In FIG. 3, transparent member 12 isdisposed to be stacked on the upper surface side of touch panel unit 2and passes through display of display unit 11. Transparent member 12 maybe integrally formed with touch panel unit 2 or may be formed separatelyfrom touch panel unit 2.

In FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, pressure detection unit 3 is disposed to bestacked on the lower surface side of display unit 11 and detects strainin transparent member 12. Pressure detection unit 3 includes a strainsensor (not illustrated) having an area smaller than that of transparentmember 12 and outputs strain detected by the strain sensor as a strainquantity. For example, a piezoelectric element or a piezoelectric filmis used as the strain sensor of pressure detection unit 3. Aconfiguration of pressure detection unit 3 using a piezoelectric filmand a detection principle of pressing force generated by thepiezoelectric film will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating aschematic configuration of pressure detection unit 3 using apiezoelectric film. In FIG. 4, pressure detection unit 3 includes baseplate 31 and a piezoelectric film 32 and has a structure in which baseplate 31 and piezoelectric film 32 are stacked on each other. Pressingforce detecting electrode patterns 33 and 34 are formed on both surfacesof piezoelectric film 32. Charges are generated in piezoelectric film 32due to minute bending of base plate 31 and a voltage is generatedbetween the pressing force detecting electrode patterns 33 and 34. It ispossible to detect pressing force based on the voltage. Since chargesare generated in piezoelectric film 32 by slight bending of base plate31, it is also possible to detect small pressing force. Predeterminedpatterns 35 other than the pressing force detecting electrode patterns33 and 34 are disposed on both of the surfaces of piezoelectric film 32in pressure detection unit 3 of FIG. 4. Predetermined patterns 35 may beused similarly to the pressing force detecting electrode patterns 33 and34, and may be used for causing a signal to be transmitted.

In FIG. 1, unit for determining threshold value in operation surface 4determines a threshold value corresponding to the touch coordinateoutput from touch panel unit 2 and outputs the determined thresholdvalue as a threshold value (below referred to as a “strain quantitythreshold value (predetermined threshold value)” TH) of the strainquantity. Strain quantity threshold value TH is set for each subdivisionwhich is obtained by dividing the operation surface of touch panel unit2 into predetermined subdivisions. Examples of the shape of thesubdivision include a quadrangle and a triangle.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating a specific example of strainquantity threshold value TH. In this case, as illustrated in FIG. 5A,pressure detection unit 3 is disposed at a position which is a littlelower than the center of operation surface 40 of touch panel unit 2.Strain quantity threshold value TH is set for each subdivision which isobtained by dividing operation surface 40 of touch panel unit 2 into 40subdivisions of breadthwise 5×lengthwise 8. In this case, as illustratedin FIG. 5B, large strain quantity threshold value TH is set in portion41 at which a detectable strain quantity is large physically such as thevicinity of pressure detection unit 3 and small strain quantitythreshold value TH is set in portion 42 at which a detectable strainquantity is small physically such as an end of operation surface 40. Forexample, each strain quantity threshold value TH of “50”, “70”, “50”,“40”, “50”, and “40” is set in portion 41 at which pressure detectionunit 3 is disposed. Each strain quantity threshold value TH of “1”, “2”,“3”, “2”, and “1” is set in portion 42 which is the farthest from aportion at which pressure detection unit 3 is disposed. In this manner,strain quantity threshold value TH is set for each divided predeterminedsubdivision which is obtained by dividing operation surface 40 of touchpanel unit 2 into a plurality of subdivisions.

In FIG. 1, strain quantity threshold value TH determined by the unit fordetermining threshold values in operation surface 4 is output to controlunit 6. Control unit 6 is configured by a central processing unit (CPU),a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), and an interfacecircuit. A program for controlling the CPU is stored in the ROM and theRAM is used when the CPU is operated. Control unit 6 obtains a touchcoordinate determined by touch panel unit 2 for each constant period andoutputs the obtained touch coordinate to unit for determining thresholdvalue in operation surface 4. Control unit 6 receives strain quantity Dvdetected by pressure detection unit 3 and receives strain quantitythreshold value TH determined by the unit for determining thresholdvalues in operation surface 4. Control unit 6 compares strain quantityDv with strain quantity threshold value TH. When strain quantity Dvdetected by pressure detection unit 3 is larger than strain quantitythreshold value TH determined by the unit for determining thresholdvalues in operation surface 4, the touch coordinate determined by touchpanel unit 2 is caused to be effective and the touch coordinate causedto be effective is output as an effective touch coordinate toapplication processing unit 5. Application processing unit 5 performsvarious processes based on the effective touch coordinate. Descriptionis not necessary, but strain quantity Dv and strain quantity thresholdvalue TH which are compared by control unit 6 are obtained at the sametouch coordinate.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are diagrams illustrating a positional relationship oftouch panel unit 2 on operation surface 40 and illustrating strainquantity Dv allowed to be detected when touching is performed with thesame extent of strength on an A-A line on operation surface 40, in thepositional relationship. As illustrated in FIG. 6A, touch position Pa onoperation surface 40 corresponds to a position on the A-A line at anupper end (an end on an upper side towards the drawing is referred to asan upper end) of operation surface 40. Touch position Pb corresponds toa position on a position of pressure detection unit 3 on the A-A line inoperation surface 40. Touch position Pc corresponds to a position on theA-A line at a lower end (an end on a lower side toward the drawing isreferred to a lower end) of operation surface 40.

Touch position Pa is farthest from pressure detection unit 3 anddetected strain quantity Dv has a small value as illustrated in FIG. 6B.Pressure detection unit 3 is disposed at touch position Pb and detectedstrain quantity Dv has a large value as illustrated in FIG. 6B. Touchposition Pc is at a distance which is substantially a half of a distancefrom pressure detection unit 3 to touch position Pa and detected strainquantity Dv has a value larger than strain quantity Dv at touch positionPa and smaller than strain quantity Dv at touch position Pb.

Strain quantity threshold value TH is set so as to determineeffectiveness of an operation toward operation surface 40 of touch panelunit 2. Strain quantity threshold value TH is set for each subdivisionof operation surface 40 which is divided into a plurality ofsubdivisions as described above. The strain quantity threshold valuewhich is set for each subdivision is smaller than a strain quantitydetected by pressure detection unit 3 when touching is performed foreach subdivision. With this, a touch coordinate obtained by an operationin which touching is performed any point on operation surface 40 becomeseffective. The minimum value of strain quantity threshold value TH isset to a value for not performing detection when water or the like isattached to operation surface 40 or a value which is larger than a valueof an electric noise. That is, the minimum value of strain quantitythreshold value TH is set to a value which is larger than a strainquantity when water or the like is attached to operation surface 40. Atouch coordinate obtained by water is not effective even when the wateror the like is attached to operation surface 40, by determining a valueof strain quantity threshold value TH in this manner.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of control unit 6 ofelectronic apparatus 1 according to Exemplary Embodiment 1. In FIG. 7,control unit 6 obtains a touch coordinate output from touch panel unit 2(Step S1) and outputs the obtained touch coordinate to the unit fordetermining threshold values in operation surface 4. That is, a usertouching operation surface 40 of touch panel unit 2 causes touch panelunit 2 to determine a touch coordinate corresponding to a touch positionand to output the determined touch coordinate to unit for determiningthreshold value in operation surface 4.

Control unit 6 determines whether or not release of an effectiveoperation can be detected, based on the obtained touch coordinate afterthe coordinate is output to unit for determining threshold value inoperation surface 4 (Step S2). In electronic apparatus 1 according tothis exemplary embodiment, the operation is effective for a period froma time when operation surface 40 of touch panel unit 2 is touched with afinger to a time when the touch is released. Thus, if a finger isreleased from operation surface 40, it is determined that an effectiveoperation is released. That is, control unit 6 traces the touchcoordinate and recognizes an operation when the touch coordinate ischanged to any coordinate as an operation performed by the same finger.Control unit 6 determines the touch coordinate which is determined to beeffective once to be effective until a finger is determined to bereleased from operation surface 40 of touch panel unit 2.

Control unit 6 causes an effective state of the touch coordinate to beclear when it is determined that release of the effective operation isdetected (when there is determination of YES in Step S2) (Step S3). Thatis, the touch coordinate is caused to be ineffective. After theeffective state of the touch coordinate is caused to be clear, the touchcoordinate is released (Step S4) and the process is ended.

In the determination of Step S2, control unit 6 determines whether ornot the touch coordinate is already effective when it is determined thatit is difficult to detect release of the effective operation (when thereis determination of NO in Step S2), that is, when it is determined thata finger is not separated from operation surface 40 (Step S5). That is,control unit 6 determines whether or not a state where a finger comesinto contact with operation surface 40 of touch panel unit 2 continues.In this determination, when it is determined that the touch coordinateis already effective (when there is determination of YES in Step S5),that is, when it is determined that the state where a finger comes intocontact with operation surface 40 continues, the touch coordinate iscaused to be effective (Step S6) and the process is ended.

Control unit 6 obtains a strain quantity Dv detected by pressuredetection unit 3 when it is determined that the touch coordinate is noteffective (when there is determination of NO in Step S5), that is, whenthe touch coordinate is obtained, but a strain quantity is smaller thanthe predetermined threshold value (Step S7). Control unit 6 obtainsstrain quantity threshold value TH corresponding to the touch coordinate(particularly, two-dimensional coordinate) from unit for determiningthreshold value in operation surface 4 (Step S8). Strain quantity Dv inthe touch coordinate is obtained, strain quantity threshold value THcorresponding to the touch coordinate is obtained, and then the obtainedstrain quantity Dv and strain quantity threshold value TH are compared(Step S9). When it is determined that strain quantity Dv is larger thanstrain quantity threshold value TH (when there is determination of YESin Step S9), the touch coordinate is caused to be effective (Step S6)and the process is ended. On the other hand, when it is determined thatstrain quantity Dv is equal to or less than strain quantity thresholdvalue TH (when there is determination of NO in Step S9), the touchcoordinate is caused to be ineffective (Step S10) and the process isended. The above processes (Steps S1 to S10) are executed whenever atouch coordinate is obtained.

With such electronic apparatus 1 according to Exemplary Embodiment 1,strain quantity threshold value TH is set in accordance with a distancefrom pressure detection unit 3 for each divided predeterminedsubdivision which is obtained by dividing operation surface 40 of touchpanel unit 2 into a plurality of predetermined subdivisions. Thus, atwo-dimensional coordinate obtained through an operation of touching anypoint on operation surface 40 of touch panel unit 2 is effective. Inaddition, the minimum value of strain quantity threshold value TH is setto be a value which is larger than strain quantity Dv when water or thelike is attached to operation surface 40 of the touch panel unit or tobe a value which is larger than a value of an electric noise. Thus, atouch coordinate obtained by water is not effective when the water orthe like is attached to operation surface 40.

Exemplary Embodiment 2

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of anelectronic apparatus according to Exemplary Embodiment 2 of the presentinvention. In FIG. 8, components common as the above describedcomponents in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals anddescriptions thereof will be omitted. In electronic apparatus 50according to Exemplary Embodiment 2, variation in strain quantity may bealso accurately obtained when a variation time of a strain quantity isshorter than an obtaining interval (sampling interval) of a touchcoordinate and strain quantity obtaining unit 51 is included as a unitfor causing this to be possible.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example when a sampling interval Tafor a two-dimensional coordinate is longer than the variation time of astrain quantity. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the maximum value Dvmax of astrain quantity Dv obtained through the touch operation is within thesampling interval Ta of a two-dimensional coordinate and any one ofstrain quantities Dv1, Dv2, and Dv3 at timings t1, t2, and t3 of thetwo-dimensional coordinate is below strain quantity threshold value TH.Accordingly, the two-dimensional coordinate obtained through the touchoperation at this time is not caused to be effective. As in thisexample, if variation in strain quantity may not be accurately obtained,a two-dimensional coordinate obtained through the touch operation is notcaused to be effective though there is a touch operation. If beingoriginal, it is necessary that a two-dimensional coordinate obtainedthrough a touch operation after strain quantity Dv exceeds strainquantity threshold value TH is effective. If there is attachment ofwater or the like, a two-dimensional coordinate obtained by water or thelike may or may be not caused to be effective. However, if there is atouch operation performed by an instructing object such as a finger, itis necessary that a two-dimensional coordinate obtained by this iseffective.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a strain quantity obtaining processfor determination in electronic apparatus 50 according to ExemplaryEmbodiment 2. As illustrated in FIG. 10, a strain quantity obtainingunit 51 obtains a strain quantity Dv at an interval (below referred toas a “strain quantity obtaining interval Tb”) which is faster thanvariation in strain quantity Dv, stores the maximum value of strainquantity Dv, and outputs the maximum value of strain quantity Dv asstrain quantity for effectiveness determination Dve to control unit 6.Strain quantity obtaining unit 51 obtains strain quantity Dv at thestrain quantity obtaining interval Tb, compares the obtained strainquantity Dv with the right previously obtained strain quantity Dv, andthus obtains the maximum value of strain quantity Dv. Strain quantityobtaining unit 51 continues to output strain quantity for effectivenessdetermination Dve until reset is performed by control unit 6.

Control unit 6 obtains a touch coordinate output from touch panel unit 2at a constant interval (sampling interval) Ta. Control unit 6 comparesstrain quantity for effectiveness determination Dve obtained by strainquantity obtaining unit 51 with strain quantity threshold value THcorresponding to the touch coordinate. If strain quantity foreffectiveness determination Dve is larger than strain quantity thresholdvalue TH, control unit 6 causes the touch coordinate at the current timeto be effective. The touch coordinate caused to be effective is outputas an effective touch coordinate to application processing unit 5.

Control unit 6 continuously causes the touch coordinate (particularly,two-dimensional coordinate) from output of touch panel unit 2 to beeffective until a finger being an instructing object is separated fromoperation surface 40 of touch panel unit 2 by a predetermined distanceor more in a perpendicular direction. If the finger being an instructingobject is separated from operation surface 40 of touch panel unit 2 bythe predetermined distance or more in the perpendicular direction,control unit 6 determines an operation performed on the effective touchcoordinate to be released, stops output of the effective touchcoordinate, and causes strain quantity obtaining unit 51 to be reset.Then, control unit 6 deletes the strain quantity for effectivenessdetermination Dve which is the maximum value of strain quantity Dv,stored in strain quantity obtaining unit 51.

When electronic apparatus 50 is operated by bringing an instructingobject such as a finger into contact with touch panel unit 2 and causinga touch coordinate to be effective, large strain is detected in contactfor the first time. However, then, when contact continues and anoperation continues, the strain tends to decrease gradually.Particularly, this tendency appears significantly in a flickingoperation and the like. In this exemplary embodiment, a touch coordinateis caused to be effective based on the strain and then is maintained tobe effective until the instructing object is separated from touch panelunit 2. Thus, it is possible to suppress incorrect detection of thestrain due to very small amount of water and to prevent determination ofan actual operation such as a flicking operation to be ineffective bymistake.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of control unit 6 ofelectronic apparatus 50 according to Exemplary Embodiment 2. In FIG. 11,processes common as the processes illustrated in FIG. 7 are denoted bythe same reference numerals and detailed descriptions thereof will beomitted.

In FIG. 11, control unit 6 obtains a touch coordinate output from touchpanel unit 2 (Step S1) and outputs the obtained touch coordinate to unitfor determining threshold value in operation surface 4. Control unit 6determines whether or not release of an effective operation can bedetected, based on the obtained touch coordinate after the coordinate isoutput to unit for determining threshold value in operation surface 4(Step S2). Control unit 6 outputs a request for resetting the maximumstrain quantity, that is, the strain quantity for effectivenessdetermination Dve to strain quantity obtaining unit 51 when it isdetermined that release of the effective operation can be detected (whenthere is determination of YES in Step S2) (Step S11). That is, deletionof strain quantity for effectiveness determination Dve which is storedin strain quantity obtaining unit 51 is required. An effective state ofthe touch coordinate is caused to be clear after the request forresetting strain quantity for effectiveness determination Dve is outputto strain quantity obtaining unit 51 (Step S3). Then, the touchcoordinate is released (Step S4) and the process is ended.

In the determination of Step S2, control unit 6 determines whether ornot the touch coordinate is already effective when it is determined thatit is difficult to detect release of the effective operation (when thereis determination of NO in Step S2) (Step S5). That is, control unit 6determines whether or not a state where a finger comes into contact withoperation surface 40 of touch panel unit 2 continues. In thisdetermination, when it is determined that the touch coordinate isalready effective (when there is determination of YES in Step S5), thatis, when it is determined that the state where a finger comes intocontact with operation surface 40 continues, the touch coordinate iscaused to be effective (Step S6) and the process is ended.

A strain quantity for effectiveness determination Dve is obtained fromstrain quantity obtaining unit 51 when it is determined that the touchcoordinate is not effective (when there is determination of NO in StepS5) (Step S12). Then, control unit 6 obtains strain quantity thresholdvalue TH corresponding to the touch coordinate from unit for determiningthreshold value in operation surface 4 (Step S8). Strain quantity foreffectiveness determination Dye is obtained and strain quantitythreshold value TH corresponding to the touch coordinate is obtained,and then obtained strain quantity Dv and strain quantity threshold valueTH are compared (Step S9). When it is determined that strain quantityfor effectiveness determination Dve is larger than strain quantitythreshold value TH in this comparison (when there is determination ofYES in Step S9), the touch coordinate is caused to be effective (StepS6) and the process is ended. On the other hand, when it is determinedthat strain quantity for effectiveness determination Dve is equal to orless than strain quantity threshold value TH (when there isdetermination of NO in Step S9), the touch coordinate is caused to beineffective (Step S10) and the process is ended. The above processes(Steps S1 to S6 and Steps S8 to S12) are executed whenever a touchcoordinate is obtained.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of strain quantityobtaining unit 51 of electronic apparatus 50 according to ExemplaryEmbodiment 2. In FIG. 12, strain quantity obtaining unit 51 obtains astrain quantity output from pressure detection unit 3 (Step S20). It isdetermined whether or not the maximum strain quantity (strain quantityfor effectiveness determination Dve) is effective (Step S21). When it isdetermined that the maximum strain quantity is effective (when there isdetermination of YES in Step S21), it is determined whether or not astrain quantity obtained at the current time is larger than the maximumstrain quantity (Step S22). In this determination, when it is determinedthat the strain quantity obtained at the current time is larger than themaximum strain quantity (when there is determination of YES in StepS22), the maximum strain quantity is updated (Step S23). That is, updateof the strain quantity obtained at the current time being set as themaximum strain quantity is performed.

In the determination of Step S21, when it is determined that the maximumstrain quantity is not effective (when there is determination of NO inStep S21), the maximum strain quantity is updated (Step S23). After themaximum strain quantity is updated, it is determined whether or not areset request is received from control unit 6 (Step S24). When it isdetermined that the reset request is received (when there isdetermination of YES in Step S24), the maximum strain quantity which isstored currently is caused to be clear (Step S25) and the process isended. When it is determined that the reset request is not received inthe determination of Step S24 (when there is determination of NO in StepS24), the process is ended with no process being performed. The aboveprocesses (Steps S20 to S25) are executed at a predetermined timeinterval.

With such electronic apparatus 50 according to Exemplary Embodiment 2,since strain quantity obtaining unit 51 that obtains a strain quantityat an interval which is faster than variation in strain to be detectedand stores the maximum value of the strain quantity is included, a touchoperation causing a little variation in strain quantity is caused to beeffective and thus it is possible to prevent determination of an actualoperation to be ineffective by mistake. That is, when a touch coordinateis obtained at a predetermined sampling interval, if a strain quantityat a time when the touch coordinate is obtained does not exceed thestrain quantity threshold value (that is, when a predetermined conditionis not satisfied), the touch coordinate at that time is not caused to beeffective. With this, it is possible to prevent a touch coordinateobtained by attachment of water or the like from being caused to beeffective. When a strain quantity at a time when a touch coordinate isobtained exceeds the strain quantity threshold value for the samplinginterval for obtaining the touch coordinate (that is, when thepredetermined condition is satisfied), the touch coordinate at that timeis caused to be effective. With this, it is possible to cause atwo-dimensional coordinate obtained through a touch operation performedby an instructing object such as a finger to be effective. If the touchcoordinate is caused to be effective once, the touch coordinate iseffective continuously until the instructing object such as a finger isseparated from operation surface 40 of touch panel unit 2 in theperpendicular direction by the predetermined distance or more.Accordingly, it is possible to prevent a touch coordinate from beingcaused to be ineffective when an operation in which a large strainquantity occurring due to a flicking operation and the like is notsecured is performed.

Exemplary Embodiment 3

Electronic apparatus 60 according to Exemplary Embodiment 3 of thepresent invention includes a unit that can prevent determination of atouch coordinate obtained by a touch which is not an operation to beeffective by mistake, and the touch is one of multi-touch detected bytouch panel unit 2. An example of a case where touch panel unit 2detects simultaneously a plurality of touch coordinates includes a casewhere one touch coordinate is obtained through an operation of a fingerand the remaining touch coordinates are obtained by water. Asillustrated in FIG. 13A, when water 90 is in the vicinity of the end ofoperation surface 40 and an operation is performed in the vicinity ofthe center of operation surface 40 with finger 91, water 90 and finger91 are brought onto contact with operation surface 40 and thus touchcoordinates corresponding to water 90 and finger 91 are output fromtouch panel unit 2.

Since finger 91 is at the center portion of operation surface 40 andwater 90 is at the end of operation surface 40, a strain quantitythreshold value is set to be a small value which corresponds to thewater. That is, as illustrated in FIG. 13B, a strain quantity thresholdvalue TH1 for water 90 is set to be small and strain quantity thresholdvalue TH2 for finger 91 is set to be large. Since a strain quantityexceeds strain quantity threshold value TH1 at a portion at which thereis water 90, incorrect detection due to water 90 is caused to beeffective earlier. That is, a touch coordinate obtained by water 90 iscaused to be effective at a touch coordinate obtaining time point t2.However, it is desired to cause a touch coordinate which is obtained byfinger 91 at a touch coordinate obtaining time point t3 to be effectiveearlier.

As countermeasures for solving this problem, the following method isconsidered.

-   -   A strain quantity being increasing is considered as that an        operation is in the process of being performed and determination        of being effective is not performed.    -   Determination of being effective is performed on a touch        coordinate after variation in the strain quantity is determined        to be stable.    -   Variation in the strain quantity in accordance with a touch        operation is detected in a flow of increase, stagnation, and        decrease and thus being increasing is considered as an operation        is in the process of being performed and determination of being        effective is not performed.    -   Proposed scheme for determining to be stable    -   A case where increase of the strain quantity is equal to or less        than the predetermined threshold value (threshold value for        determining increase of the strain quantity)    -   A case where a case where increase of the strain quantity is        equal to or less than the predetermined threshold value        (threshold value for determining increase of the strain        quantity) is performed a predetermined number of times    -   A case where it is detected that the strain quantity varies no        longer or a case where decrease in the strain quantity is        detected for the first time    -   A case where no variation in the strain quantity occurs and then        the strain quantity does not increase continuously a        predetermined number of times or a case where no decrease in the        strain quantity is detected and then the strain quantity does        not increase continuously a predetermined number of times    -   A case where the strain quantity is in a predetermined range for        a predetermined time after the strain quantity exceeds the        predetermined threshold value (threshold value for ignoring an        electrical noise and the like)    -   Selection method when a plurality of coordinates exceed the        threshold value simultaneously at a timing of determination    -   select a coordinate obtained by detecting a touch which is        performed later    -   select a coordinate having a large threshold value    -   Because of that the great strain is detected at the center        portion easier than being detected at the end    -   Plans exemplified below are included when threshold values        corresponding to touch coordinates are the same as each other.    -   all of the touch coordinates are effective    -   the touch coordinate obtained by performing touching later is        effective    -   the touch coordinate which is closed to the center portion is        effective

A case where “selection of a coordinate obtained by detecting a touchwhich is performed later” is performed will be described with referenceto the drawings.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a function when electronic apparatus60 according to Exemplary Embodiment 3 has the function of “selecting acoordinate obtained by detecting a touch which is performed later”. Thisfunction will be described with reference to FIGS. 13A and 13B together.The example illustrated in FIG. 14 corresponds to an example in which ifwater 90 is attached to operation surface 40 before operation surface 40of touch panel unit 2 is operated with finger 91, a touch coordinatecorresponding to finger 91 which is detected subsequent to detection ofwater 90 is selected. Since water 90 itself is not recognized, it is notconfirmed whether water 90 is brought onto contact with operationsurface 40. However, in this example, it is assumed that water 90 isbrought onto contact with operation surface 40.

Water 90 is attached to operation surface 40 of touch panel unit 2 andthus a touch coordinate corresponding to a position at which water 90 isattached is output from touch panel unit 2. The touch coordinate outputfrom touch panel unit 2 is input to control unit 6 at a touch coordinateobtaining timing. A strain quantity which is detected by pressuredetection unit 3 when water 90 is attached to operation surface 40 issmaller than strain quantity threshold value TH. Thus, the strainquantity does not exceed strain quantity threshold value TH. Asdescribed above, strain quantity threshold value TH is set to a valuelarger than the strain quantity detected when water 90 is attached tooperation surface 40 such that the touch coordinate obtained byattachment of water 90 is not caused to be effective.

If finger 91 touches operation surface 40 after water 90 is attached tooperation surface 40 of touch panel unit 2, a touch coordinatecorresponding to a position at which finger 91 comes onto contact withoperation surface 40 is output from touch panel unit 2. Strain quantityDv output from pressure detection unit 3 increases gradually and whenstrain quantity Dv reaches the maximum value, variation in strainquantity Dv becomes stable. It is determined whether or not the touchcoordinate is effective, from a time when the variation in strainquantity Dv is stable. Strain quantity Dv is compared with strainquantity threshold value (strain quantity threshold value correspondingto the coordinate of a position at which a touch occurs by a finger) THat a touch coordinate obtaining timing t7 after the variation in strainquantity Dv is stable. At this time, if strain quantity Dv exceedsstrain quantity threshold value TH, the touch coordinate correspondingto a position at which finger 91 comes onto contact with operationsurface 40 becomes effective. In this manner, if the variation in strainquantity Dv is stable and exceeds strain quantity threshold value TH, atouch coordinate at that time becomes effective.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a function when electronic apparatus60 according to Exemplary Embodiment 3 has the function of “selecting acoordinate corresponding to a large threshold value”. In FIG. 15, strainquantity Dv increases gradually and when strain quantity Dv reaches themaximum value, variation in strain quantity Dv becomes stable. It isdetermined whether or not touch coordinates are effective, from a timewhen the variation in strain quantity Dv is stable. The touch coordinatecorresponding to a large one of strain quantity threshold values TH1 andTH2 is selected at a touch coordinate obtaining timing t4 after thevariation in strain quantity Dv is stable. In this case, strain quantitythreshold value TH2 corresponding to the position at which a touchoccurs by finger 91 is larger than strain quantity threshold value TH1corresponding to the position at which water 90 is attached to operationsurface 40 and thus the touch coordinate corresponding to the positionat which finger 91 comes into contact with operation surface 40 becomeseffective. In this manner, the variation in strain quantity Dv is stableand then the touch coordinate corresponding to the large strain quantitythreshold value is selected and the touch coordinate at that timebecomes effective.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration ofelectronic apparatus 60 according to Exemplary Embodiment 3. In FIG. 16,components common as the above described components in FIG. 1 aredenoted by the same reference numerals and descriptions thereof will beomitted. Electronic apparatus 60 according to Exemplary Embodiment 3 mayprevent determination of a touch coordinate which is not obtained by anoperation to be effective by mistake also when touch panel unit 2detects multi-touch at portions on operation surface 40 of touch panelunit 2, which have different strain quantity threshold values from eachother, as descried above. Electronic apparatus 60 includes strainquantity stability determination unit 61 as a unit for allowingdetermination by mistake to be prevented.

Strain quantity stability determination unit 61 outputs the strainquantity as the strain quantity for effectiveness determination tocontrol unit 62 after variation in the strain quantity output frompressure detection unit 3 is stable. Unit for determining thresholdvalue in operation surface 4 outputs strain quantity threshold valuescorresponding to a plurality of touch coordinates to control unit 62.For example, unit for determining threshold value in operation surface 4outputs a strain quantity threshold value corresponding to a touchcoordinate obtained by water 90 and a strain quantity threshold valuecorresponding to a touch coordinate obtained by finger 91 to controlunit 62. When control unit 62 has the function of “selecting acoordinate obtained by detecting a touch which is performed later”,control unit 62 selects the strain quantity threshold valuecorresponding to the touch coordinate obtained by finger 91. Then,control unit 62 compares the selected strain quantity threshold valuewith the strain quantity for effectiveness determination obtained bystrain quantity stability determination unit 61. When the strainquantity for effectiveness determination is larger than the selectedstrain quantity threshold value, control unit 62 causes the touchcoordinate obtained by finger 91 to be effective and outputs the touchcoordinate as an effective touch coordinate to application processingunit 5.

When control unit 62 has the function of “selecting a coordinatecorresponding to a large threshold value”, control unit 62 selects thestrain quantity threshold value corresponding to the touch coordinateobtained by finger 91. Then, control unit 62 compares the selectedstrain quantity threshold value with the strain quantity foreffectiveness determination obtained by strain quantity stabilitydetermination unit 61. When the strain quantity for effectivenessdetermination is larger than the selected strain quantity thresholdvalue, control unit 62 causes the touch coordinate obtained by finger 91to be effective and outputs the touch coordinate as an effective touchcoordinate to application processing unit 5. After then, touchcoordinates becomes effective continuously until an operation is notperformed (that is, until a finger is released from operation surface 40of touch panel unit 2). If an operation is not performed (that is, if afinger is released from operation surface 40 of touch panel unit 2),control unit 62 controls strain quantity stability determination unit 61to be reset and stops outputting the effective touch coordinate.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of control unit 62 ofelectronic apparatus 60 according to Exemplary Embodiment 3. In FIG. 17,processes common as the processes illustrated in FIG. 7 are denoted bythe same reference numerals and detailed descriptions thereof will beomitted.

In FIG. 17, control unit 62 obtains a touch coordinate output from touchpanel unit 2 (Step S1) and outputs the obtained touch coordinate to unitfor determining threshold value in operation surface 4. Control unit 6determines whether or not release of an effective operation can bedetected, based on the obtained touch coordinate after the coordinate isoutput to unit for determining threshold value in operation surface 4(Step S2). Control unit 6 outputs a request for resetting stabilitydetermination to strain quantity stability determination unit 61 when itis determined that release of the effective operation can be detected(when there is determination of YES in Step S2) (Step S13). Control unit6 causes an effective state of the touch coordinate to be clear afterthe request for resetting stability determination is output to strainquantity stability determination unit 61 (Step S3). Then, the touchcoordinate is released (Step S4) and the process is ended.

In the determination of Step S2, control unit 6 determines whether ornot the touch coordinate is already effective when it is determined thatit is difficult to detect release of the effective operation (when thereis determination of NO in Step S2) (Step S5). In this determination,when it is determined that the touch coordinate is already effective(when there is determination of YES in Step S5), the touch coordinate iscaused to be effective (Step S6) and the process is ended. When aplurality of touch coordinates exceed the threshold value simultaneouslyin Step S6, selection is performed. For example, the coordinate obtainedby detecting a touch which is performed later is selected or thecoordinate corresponding to a large strain quantity threshold value isselected.

Control unit 6 obtains a strain correction quantity for effectivenessdetermination output from strain quantity stability determination unit61 when it is determined that the touch coordinate is not effective(when there is determination of NO in Step S5) (Step S14). Control unit6 determines whether or not there is the strain quantity foreffectiveness determination (Step S15). Control unit 6 obtains thestrain quantity threshold value corresponding to the touch coordinatefrom unit for determining threshold value in operation surface 4 when itis determined that there is the strain quantity for effectivenessdetermination (when there is determination of YES in Step S15), that is,when it is determined that the variation in the strain quantity isstable (Step S8).

Control unit 6 obtains the strain quantity for effectivenessdetermination and obtains the strain quantity threshold valuecorresponding to the touch coordinate and then compares the obtainedstrain quantity for effectiveness determination with the obtained strainquantity threshold value (Step S9). When it is determined that thestrain quantity for effectiveness determination is larger than thestrain quantity threshold value (when there is determination of YES inStep S9), control unit 6 causes the touch coordinate to be effective(Step S6) and the process is ended. On the other hand, when it isdetermined that the strain quantity for effectiveness determination isequal to or less than the strain quantity threshold value (when there isdetermination of NO in Step S9), control unit 6 causes the touchcoordinate to be ineffective (Step S10) and the process is ended.

In the determination of Step S15, when it is determined that there is nostrain quantity for effectiveness determination (when there isdetermination of NO in Step S15), that is, when it is determined thatthe strain quantity is increasing or that the variation in the strainquantity is unstable, control unit 6 causes the touch coordinate to beineffective (Step S10) and the process is ended. The above processes(Steps S1 to S6, Steps S8 to S10, and Steps S13 to S15) are executedwhenever a touch coordinate is obtained.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of strain quantitystability determination unit 61 of electronic apparatus 60 according toExemplary Embodiment 3. In FIG. 18, strain quantity stabilitydetermination unit 61 determines a case to be stable and the caseincludes a case where the strain quantity varies no longer or a casewhere reduction of the variation in the strain quantity is detected forthe first time. Strain quantity stability determination unit 61 obtainsa strain quantity output from pressure detection unit 3 (Step S30).Strain quantity stability determination unit 61 determines whether ornot stability determination is being performed first time after thestability determination is reset (Step S31). When it is determined thatstability determination is being performed first time after thestability determination is reset (when there is determination of YES inStep S31), strain quantity stability determination unit 61 determinesthe strain quantity to be unstable (Step S32). This is because thisstability determination is performed for the first time and thus thestrain quantity is unstable obviously. Strain quantity stabilitydetermination unit 61 stores the current strain quantity and thedetermination result (Step S33) and the process is ended.

In the determination of Step S31, when it is determined that stabilitydetermination is not being performed first time after the stabilitydetermination is reset (when there is determination of NO in Step S31),strain quantity stability determination unit 61 determines whether ornot stability determination is completed (Step S34). When it isdetermined that stability determination is completed (when there isdetermination of YES in Step S34), strain quantity stabilitydetermination unit 61 determines the strain quantity to be stable (StepS37) and stores the current strain quantity and the determination result(Step S33), and the process is ended. In the determination of Step S34,when it is determined that stability determination is not completed(when there is determination of NO in Step S34), strain quantitystability determination unit 61 calculates a difference between thestored strain quantity and the current strain quantity (Step S35).

After the difference is calculated, strain quantity stabilitydetermination unit 61 determines whether or not the variation in thestrain quantity is equivalent to a value equal to or less than 0 (zero)(Step S36). That is, strain quantity stability determination unit 61determines whether there is no variation in the strain quantity orwhether or not the strain quantity varies so as to be reduced. When itis determined that the variation in the strain quantity is equivalent toa value more than 0 (zero) (when there is determination of NO in StepS36), that is, when it is determined that the strain quantity varies,strain quantity stability determination unit 61 proceeds to Step S32 anddetermines the strain quantity to be unstable. On the other hand, whenit is determined that the variation in the strain quantity is equivalentto a value equal to or less than 0 (zero) (when there is determinationof YES in Step S36), strain quantity stability determination unit 61determines the strain quantity to be stable (Step S37) and outputs thestrain quantity as the strain quantity for effectiveness determinationto control unit 62. Then, strain quantity stability determination unit61 stores the current strain quantity and the determination result inStep S33 and the process is ended.

With such electronic apparatus 60 according to Exemplary Embodiment 3,it is possible to prevent determination of a touch coordinate which isnot obtained by an operation to be effective by mistake when touch panelunit 2 detects multi-touch at the portions having different strainquantity threshold values from each other.

Exemplary Embodiment 4

FIG. 19 is a view of an appearance on a front surface side of electronicapparatus 70 according to Exemplary Embodiment 4 of the presentinvention and an enlarged view of a cross-section of a part of theappearance. In other electronic apparatuses in addition to electronicapparatus 70 according to Exemplary Embodiment 4, if a level differenceis in the vicinity of a boundary between the inside and the outside ofan operation surface due to a structure of a casing, water is likely tobe collected. Thus, water may be detected normally when the water isattached to operation surface 40. In electronic apparatus 70 accordingto Exemplary Embodiment 4, the structure of the casing remains as it isand incorrect detection is not performed when water 90 is collected inthe vicinity of a boundary between bezel 45 and operation surface 40.

In electronic apparatus 70 according to Exemplary Embodiment 4, a strainquantity threshold value at only an end portion of operation surface 40is set to a value for no response in a normal operation. FIG. 20 is adiagram illustrating an example of strain quantity threshold value TH inelectronic apparatus 70 according to Exemplary Embodiment 4. Asillustrated in FIG. 20, strain quantity threshold value TH is set to alarge value (“500”) at only a peripheral portion. In this manner, astrain quantity does not exceed the strain threshold value in anoperation performed in the vicinity of an installation position ofpressure detection unit 3 which is able to detect a large strainquantity and thus water 90 which is collected at the end is notdetermined to be an effective operation.

If an area of a portion corresponding to the end is wide, it isdifficult to perform an operation at the end. Accordingly, the followingmethods may be applied.

-   -   make an area obtained by performing division small.    -   divide an area at only the end into small areas.

If a portion at which incorrect detection is likely to be performed islimited to a lower end, a threshold value corresponding to the vicinityof the lower end may be changed.

An area at only the end may be divided into small areas in order toincrease the number of detection areas without greatly increasing thenumber of subdivisions.

A threshold value corresponding to only the lower end in accordance witha direction of a terminal may be dynamically changed.

A program describing the processes which are illustrated in theflowcharts (FIG. 7, FIG. 11, FIG. 12, FIG. 17, and FIG. 18) of ExemplaryEmbodiments 1 to 3 is stored in a ROM of each of control units 6 and 62.However, the program may be stored in a storage medium such as amagnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a flash memoryand be distributed or may be stored in a server (not illustrated) over anetwork such as the Internet and be downloaded by using an electrictelecommunication line.

Each of electronic apparatuses 1, 50, 60, and 70 according to ExemplaryEmbodiments 1 to 4 is applied to a portable wireless device called as asmartphone. However, it is not limited to the portable wireless deviceand may be applied to home appliances such as a microwave oven, acontrol panel of a navigation system and the like in a car or the like.

Electronic apparatuses 1, 50, 60, and 70 according to ExemplaryEmbodiments 1 to 4 may be understood as follows.

Each of electronic apparatuses 1, 50, 60, and 70 includes a casing, adisplay unit that is disposed in the casing and displays predeterminedinformation, an electrostatic capacitive touch panel unit through whichdisplay of the display unit passes and that determines a two-dimensionalcoordinate indicated by an instructing object which has someconductivity, a transparent member that is disposed to be stacked on thetouch panel unit and through which display of the display unit passes,and a pressure detection unit that detects strain of the transparentmember. In each of electronic apparatuses 1, 50, 60, and 70, when straindetected by the pressure detection unit is larger than a predeterminedthreshold value, a two-dimensional coordinate determined by the touchpanel unit is caused to be effective and the predetermined thresholdvalue varies in accordance with a location of the touch panel unit.

According to the above-described configuration, the pressure detectionunit detects an operation and the predetermined threshold value to becompared with strain by the pressure detection unit varies in accordancewith a location of the touch panel unit. Accordingly, a two-dimensionalcoordinate obtained by an operation of touching any point on theoperation surface of the touch panel unit is caused to be effective. Theminimum of the predetermined threshold value is larger than a strainquantity obtained when water or the like is attached to the operationsurface of the touch panel unit or larger than a value obtained by anelectrical noise. Accordingly, a two-dimensional coordinate obtained bywater is caused not to be effective when the water or the like isattached to the operation surface of the touch panel unit.

In the configuration, the predetermined threshold value becomes small asfarther separation from the pressure detection unit is performed.According to the above-described configuration, a two-dimensionalcoordinate obtained through an operation of touching any point on thetouch panel unit is caused to be effective.

In the configuration, the predetermined threshold value is set for eachpredetermined subdivision which is obtained by dividing an operationsurface of the touch panel unit into a plurality of predeterminedsubdivisions.

According to the above-described configuration, a two-dimensionalcoordinate obtained through an operation of touching any point on thetouch panel unit is caused to be effective.

In the configuration, the predetermined subdivision has a quadrangularshape.

According to the above-described configuration, a two-dimensionalcoordinate obtained through an operation of touching any point on thetouch panel unit is caused to be effective.

In the configuration, the pressure detection unit includes a strainsensor which is smaller than the transparent member.

In the configuration, when strain is larger than the predeterminedthreshold value after a time point when variation in strain detected bythe pressure detection unit is stable, a two-dimensional coordinatedetermined by the touch panel unit is caused to be effective.

According to the above-described configuration, only a two-dimensionalcoordinate corresponding to an operation is caused to be effective whenmulti-touch is performed at the plurality of subdivisions havingdifferent threshold values from each other on the operation surface ofthe touch panel unit.

In the configuration, when strain varies no longer or when decrease ofthe strain is detected for the first time, it is determined that thevariation in strain is stable.

According to the above-described configuration, only a two-dimensionalcoordinate corresponding to an operation is caused to be effective.

In the configuration, when a plurality of two-dimensional coordinatesdetermined by the touch panel unit are simultaneously present, atwo-dimensional coordinate indicated later by the instructing object iscaused to be effective.

According to the above-described configuration, only a two-dimensionalcoordinate corresponding to an operation is caused to be effective.

In the configuration, the predetermined threshold value is set to avalue which does not cause a two-dimensional coordinate determined bythe touch panel unit to be effective, in a normal operation in at leastthe subdivision on a lower end side of the touch panel.

According to the above-described configuration, a two-dimensionalcoordinate not corresponding to an operation is not caused to beeffective even when an event of water or the like being collected on thetouch panel, which causes an incorrect response occurs on the lower endside of the touch panel.

In the configuration, the transparent member is integrally formed withthe touch panel unit.

According to the above-described configuration, assembly may be easilydone by integrally forming the transparent member with the touch panelunit.

In the configuration, the pressure detection unit is configured by usinga piezoelectric film.

According to the above-described configuration, it is possible to detectpressure generated by touching the touch panel unit with high accuracy.

Exemplary Embodiment 5

Hereinafter, Exemplary Embodiment 5 according to the present inventionwill be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 22 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a schematicconfiguration of electronic apparatus 130 according to ExemplaryEmbodiment 5 of the present invention.

As illustrated in FIG. 22, electronic apparatus 130 includes at leasttouch panel unit 2, display unit 103, perpendicular direction detectionunit 104, wireless communication unit 105, control unit 106, antenna107, storage unit 108, and switch unit 109. An example of electronicapparatus 130 includes a smart phone, a tablet, and the like.

Touch panel unit 2 corresponds to an electrostatic capacitive touchpanel and includes transmission electrode 25 and reception electrode 26,as illustrated in FIG. 23. Transmission electrode 25 and receptionelectrode 26 are disposed on a lower surface of plate-shaped dielectricmember 27 at a distance from each other. Driving pulses based on atransmission signal are applied to transmission electrode 25 throughamplifier 28. An electric field is generated from transmission electrode25 by applying the driving pulses to transmission electrode 25. When afinger or the like having conductivity enters into the electric field,the number of lines of electric force between transmission electrode 25and reception electrode 26 is reduced and a variation in the number oflines of electric force appears as a variation in the charge inreception electrode 26.

Touch panel unit 2 sequentially outputs a two-dimensional coordinate (x,y) in display unit 103, which is indicated by a finger or the like tocontrol unit 106 based on a reception signal generated in accordancewith variation in the charges of reception electrode 26. That is, when atwo-dimensional coordinate (x, y) is changed depending on movement ofthe finger or the like, touch panel unit 2 considers the changedtwo-dimensional coordinate as a two-dimensional coordinates (x, y)corresponding to the same finger or the like and sequentially outputsthe two-dimensional coordinate. An operation described herein isperformed by a control unit for a touch panel (not illustrated) includedin touch panel unit 2.

FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating detection states when a fingergradually approaches touch panel unit 2. (a) of FIG. 24 illustrates astate where the finger does not enter into an electric field, that is, astate where the finger is not detected. (b) of FIG. 24 illustrates astate where the finger enters into the electric field but the finger isnot brought into contact with touch panel unit 2, that is, a state wherea hover operation is detected. (c) of FIG. 24 illustrates a state wherethe finger enters into the electric field and comes into contact withtouch panel unit 2, that is, a state where a touch operation isdetected. When an operation of being brought into contact with touchpanel unit 2 is performed by using the finger covered with gloves, thefinger does not directly come into contact with touch panel unit 2 andthus the state of (b) in FIG. 24 occurs.

FIG. 25 illustrates the state where a hover operation is detected whichis illustrated in (b) in FIG. 24, in detail. As illustrated in FIG. 25,when a perpendicular distance (z) between finger 91 and touch panel unit2 is smaller than a predetermined distance, the state where a hoveroperation is detected occurs. The predetermined distance variesdepending on the direction or the size of finger 91 or may be changed inaccordance with design necessities. As described above, finger 91 mayalso be detected in a state where finger 91 is covered with gloves 92.

Touch panel unit 2 outputs a two-dimensional coordinate (x, y)corresponding to finger 91 when the state (including a touch state ofthe perpendicular distance=0) where a hover operation is detected occursby finger 91. Then, as described above, touch panel unit 2 continues tooutput a two-dimensional coordinate (x, y) sequentially and outputs atwo-dimensional coordinate (x, y) until finger 91 is far from touchpanel unit 2 and the hover operation is not detected. Thetwo-dimensional coordinate refers to a two-dimensional coordinate on asurface of touch panel unit 2 having a surface shape.

Returning to the description of the block diagram in FIG. 22, displayunit 103 displays predetermined information instructed by control unit106. Display unit 103 is configured by a liquid crystal display and abacklight, or an organic EL and the like. Perpendicular directiondetection unit 104 is disposed in casing 140 and is configured by agravity sensor. Perpendicular direction detection unit 104 detects aperpendicular direction in electronic apparatus 130 and notifies controlunit 106 of the detected perpendicular direction. Storage unit 108includes a volatile memory such as a dynamic random access memory (DRAM)and stores various settings when a user performs the various settings onelectronic apparatus 130.

Control unit 106 controls each unit of electronic apparatus 130. Controlunit 106 is configured by a central processing unit (CPU), a read onlymemory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), and an interface circuit. Aprogram for controlling the CPU is stored in the ROM and the RAM is usedas a computation area when the CPU is operated. Antenna 107 is connectedto wireless communication unit 105. Wireless communication unit 105performs wireless transmission and wireless reception to and from theoutside of the electronic apparatus through antenna 107 to transmit orreceive data such as a program. Switch unit 109 is used for startingelectronic apparatus 130 by an operation of a user or is used for anoperation of returning to an initial state from an operating state ofthe electronic apparatus.

Electronic apparatus 130 has rectangular parallelepiped casing 140, asillustrated in FIG. 26. In FIG. 26, glass 12 which is a transparentmember and touch panel unit 2 are disposed on a fore surface (frontsurface) side of casing 140. Glass 12 and touch panel unit 2 are formedto have a rectangular shape (square shape) in a plan view and each hasan area smaller than the area of the fore surface of casing 140. Glass12 is stacked on touch panel unit 2 so as to be disposed on a side aheadof touch panel unit 2.

In FIG. 26, a case where glass 12 and touch panel unit 2 have arectangular shape is described. However, shapes of glass 12 and touchpanel unit 2 are not limited to a rectangle. For example, glass 12 andtouch panel unit 2 may have a predetermined shape such as a triangularshape, a square shape, a polygonal shape, a circular shape, and anelliptical shape.

An x axis, a y axis, and a z axis which are marked on a lower left sideof FIG. 26 are schematic marks collectively illustrating directions andorientations in each drawing. An arrow of the x axis indicates anorientation from negativeness to positiveness along the x axis. An arrowof the y axis indicates an orientation from negativeness to positivenessalong the y axis, similarly. An arrow of the z axis indicates anorientation from negativeness to positiveness along the z axis,similarly. The arrow of each axis is similarly used in the followingdrawings. The positiveness or negativeness in each axis does not havesimply only this technical meaning and is a concept used forcollectively describing the orientation. This is similarly used in thefollowing drawings.

FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a portion of across-section in an xz plane of FIG. 26 obtaining by cutting electronicapparatus 130 off.

A circle of the y axis which is marked on a lower right side of FIG. 27and a mark of x in the circle indicate that the y axis is directed fromthe front of the surface of a paper to the back side of the surface ofthe paper along a direction vertical to the surface of the paper. Inthis case, the front of the surface of the paper in the y axis is set tobe negative and the back side of the surface of the paper in the y axisis set to be positive. A circle of each axis and a mark of x in thecircle are similarly used in the following drawings.

As illustrated in FIG. 27, glass 12, touch panel unit 2, and displayunit 103 are disposed in an order from the positiveness to thenegativeness along the z axis. In FIG. 27, glass 12 and touch panel unit2 are illustrated as individual objects, but may be formed integrally.Casing 140 is formed so as to protrude the positiveness from thenegativeness along the z axis on a positive side along the x axis basedon glass 12 and to include edge portion 140 a at a protruded endportion. Step D is formed between edge portion 140 a and glass 12. StepD has height hD corresponding to a distance between edge portion 140 aand glass 12, as illustrated in FIG. 27. Step D in FIG. 27 correspondsto a step D4 in FIG. 29 which will be described later.

FIG. 28A illustrates an appearance when electronic apparatus 130 standsup in a longitudinal direction and FIG. 28B illustrates a cross-sectionobtained by cutting electronic apparatus 130 in FIG. 28A off with aone-dot chain line.

A circle of the z axis and a point in the center of the circle which aremarked on a lower right side in FIG. 28A indicate that the z axis isdirected from the back side of the surface of the paper to the front ofthe surface of the paper along the direction vertical to the surface ofthe paper. In this case, the back side of the surface of the paper inthe z axis is set to be negative and the front of the surface of thepaper in the z axis is set to be positive. The circle of each axis and apoint in the circle are similarly used in the following drawings.

An arrow with a white area which is marked on a lower side in FIG. 28Aindicates a perpendicular direction. That is, the perpendiculardirection in FIGS. 28A and 28B includes at least a direction componentof the y axis from the positiveness to the negativeness. An arrow with awhite area which is marked on a lower side in FIG. 28B indicates aperpendicular direction which is the same as the perpendicular directionin FIG. 28A. That is, the perpendicular direction in FIGS. 28A and 28Bincludes at least a direction component of the z axis from thepositiveness to the negativeness. In electronic apparatus 130, asillustrated in FIG. 28B, a step D1 is formed between edge portion 140 aand glass 12 on a positive side of the y axis and step D2 is formedbetween edge portion 140 a and glass 12 on a negative side of the yaxis.

Step D1 and step D2 respectively have height hD1 and height hD2 (notillustrated in FIG. 28) similarly to step D having height hD illustratedin FIG. 27. Water which comes into contact with glass 12 may flow alongglass 12 in the perpendicular direction and the water 95 may becollected in the vicinity of step D2 when electronic apparatus 130 issupported to be positioned in the perpendicular direction illustrated inFIGS. 28A and 28B and is used in, for example, the rain or the like.

As illustrated in FIG. 28A, the width of display unit 103 in atransverse direction (x axis direction) is set to be wx and the width ofdisplay unit 103 in a longitudinal direction (y axis direction) is setto be wy. The relationship between wx and wy may be wx:wy=3:4,wx:wy=9:16, or the like and wx is shorter than wy in principle.

FIG. 29A illustrates an appearance when electronic apparatus 130 standsup in the transverse direction and FIG. 29B illustrates a cross-sectionobtaining by cutting electronic apparatus 130 in FIG. 29A off with aone-dot chain line.

An arrow with a white area which is marked on a lower side in FIG. 29Aindicates a perpendicular direction. That is, the perpendiculardirection in FIGS. 29A and 29B includes at least a direction componentof the x axis from the positiveness to the negativeness. An arrow with awhite area which is marked on a lower side in FIG. 29B indicates aperpendicular direction which is the same as the perpendicular directionin FIG. 29A. That is, the perpendicular direction in FIGS. 29A and 29Bincludes at least a direction component of the z axis from thepositiveness to the negativeness. In electronic apparatus 130, asillustrated in FIG. 29B, step D3 is formed between edge portion 140 aand glass 12 on a negative side of the x axis and step D4 is formedbetween edge portion 140 a and glass 12 on a positive side of the xaxis.

Step D3 and step D4 respectively have height hD3 and height hD4 (notillustrated in FIG. 29) similarly to step D having height hD illustratedin FIG. 27. Thus, heights hD1, hD2, hD3, and hD4 are substantially equalto each other. Here, the heights being substantially equal means, forexample, that a difference between the maximum and the minimum of hD1,hD2, hD3, and hD4 is equal to or less than 5% of an average value ofhD1, hD2, hD3, and hD4, that the difference is equal to or less than10%, that the difference is equal to or less than 20%, that thedifference is equal to or less than 30%, that the difference is equal toor less than 40%, or that the difference is equal to or less than 50%.Water which comes into contact with glass 12 may flow along glass 12 inthe perpendicular direction and the water 96 may be collected in thevicinity of step D4 when electronic apparatus 130 is supported to bepositioned in the perpendicular direction illustrated in FIGS. 29A and29B and is used in, for example, the rain or the like.

A case where steps D1 to D4 are formed between edge portion 140 a of thecasing and glass 12 is illustrated in FIGS. 27 to 29B. However, steps D1to D4 are not limited to the case and may be a step which is disposedalong a side of touch panel unit 2. For example, a step included inglass 12 itself may be applied.

Electronic apparatus 130 may include steps D1 to D4 which arerespectively disposed on four sides of glass 12, as illustrated in FIGS.28A to 29B, but is not limited to this configuration. Electronicapparatus 130 may include a step on at least one side.

FIG. 30 is a flowchart illustrating an operation relating to anullification region of electronic apparatus 130. Electronic apparatus130 includes at least a water droplet corresponding mode forcorresponding to a water droplet such as rain and a normal mode for notcorresponding to the water droplet particularly. Switching an operationmode of the water droplet corresponding mode, the normal mode, and thelike may be set by a user and the setting is stored in storage unit 108.

In FIG. 30, control unit 106 confirms setting of the operation modestored in storage unit 108 when an operation is started (Step S41). Whenthe operation mode is not water droplet corresponding mode (NO in StepS42), control unit 106 controls the process to return to Step S41. When,in Step S42, the operation mode is water droplet corresponding mode (YESin Step S42), control unit 106 controls perpendicular directiondetection unit 104 to confirm a perpendicular direction (Step S43).Then, control unit 106 sets a nullification region along a side ofdisplay unit 103 and touch panel unit 2 on a side toward the confirmedperpendicular direction (Step S44). Then, the process returns to StepS41.

The nullification region set along the side on the side toward theconfirmed perpendicular direction will be described in a caseillustrated in FIGS. 28A and 28B and a case illustrated in FIGS. 29A and29B. As illustrated in FIGS. 28A and 28B, an area indicated by hatchingwith short dashed lines in FIG. 28A is set to nullification region I1when electronic apparatus 130 stands up in the longitudinal direction.As illustrated in FIGS. 29A and 29B, an area indicated by hatching withshort dashed lines in FIG. 29A is set to nullification region 12 whenelectronic apparatus 130 stands up in the transverse direction.

Nullification region I1 has first width wI1 along a side of display unit103 on the negative side of the y axis, as illustrated in FIG. 28A.Nullification region 12 has second width wI2 along a side of displayunit 103 on the positive side of the x axis, as illustrated in FIG. 29A.First width wI1 and second width wI2 are substantially equal to eachother. Here, first width wI1 and second width wI2 being substantiallyequal means, for example, that an absolute value of a difference betweenwI1 and wI2 is equal to or less than 5% of an average value of wI1 andwI2, that the absolute value of the difference is equal to or less than10% of the average value, that the absolute value of the difference isequal to or less than 20% of the average value, that the absolute valueof the difference is equal to or less than 30% of the average value,that the absolute value of the difference is equal to or less than 40%of the average value, or that the absolute value of the difference isequal to or less than 50% of the average value.

Although a coordinate by touching touch panel unit 2 or the like isdetected in the nullification region, control unit 106 does notdetermine the coordinate to be effective coordinate. That is, controlunit 106 does not determine a coordinate by attaching a water droplet orthe like in addition to a coordinate by touching of a finger or the liketo be effective in the nullification region. Control unit 106 determinesa coordinate detected in touch panel unit 2 to be effective in an areawhich is not the nullification region. Display unit 103 may display theeffective coordinate.

An example of the effective coordinate will be described with referenceto FIGS. 31A and 31B. As illustrated in FIG. 31A, when a two-dimensionalcoordinate (xi, yi) is effective, icon 120 is displayed in display unit103, as illustrated in FIG. 31B. In this case, the effectivetwo-dimensional coordinate (xi, yi) is not directly displayed, but isdisplayed in such a manner that icon 120 is displayed. That is, it ispossible to catch enablement of display.

In FIG. 31B, a pointer (not illustrated) corresponding to atwo-dimensional coordinate (x, y) may be displayed. In this case, whenthe pointer is superposed on icon 120, icon 120 may become a selectablestate.

Such display of the pointer or icon 120 and start of a functioncorresponding to icon 120 are performed by an instruction of controlunit 106. The concept of the effective coordinate illustrated in FIGS.31A and 31B is not limited to this exemplary embodiment and may beapplied to Exemplary Embodiments 1 to 4.

Returning to the description of the flowchart in FIG. 30, control unit106 repeats the operations (Step S41, Step S42, Step S43, and Step S44)based on the flowchart in FIG. 30 and thus the nullification regionwhich is set along the side in the perpendicular direction is changedevery time the perpendicular direction of electronic apparatus 130 ischanged. For example, when electronic apparatus 130 is supported to bepositioned in the perpendicular direction as illustrated in FIGS. 28Aand 28B, the nullification region is set as illustrated in FIG. 28A andthen when electronic apparatus 130 is supported to be positioned in theperpendicular direction as illustrated in FIGS. 29A and 29B, thenullification region is changed as illustrated in FIG. 29A. Furtherthen, when electronic apparatus 130 is supported to be positioned in theperpendicular direction as illustrated in FIGS. 28A and 28B, thenullification region returns to a nullification region as illustrated inFIG. 28A.

As described above, in electronic apparatus 130, the nullificationregion is disposed along the side of the touch panel in perpendiculardirection, on which water droplets are easily collected and thus it ispossible to suppress a probability of incorrectly detecting thecollected water droplets as an operation of a user even though waterdroplets are collected at a step which is provided along the side.

Nullification regions I1 and I2 may or may not be displayed in displayunit 103. When nullification regions I1 and I2 are displayed in displayunit 103, an area by hatching with the short dashed lines may be filledwith a predetermined color, for example. As the predetermined color, forexample, black is considered. In addition, when the area is filled withthe predetermined color, the filled area may have some transmittance anda screen to be normally displayed by display unit 103 under the filledarea may be confirmed through the filled area.

In addition, the screen to be normally displayed is not displayed innullification regions I1 and I2, and the screen to be normally displayedmay be reduced to be displayed in an area excluding nullificationregions I1 and I2. The screen to be normally displayed may be displayedto be scrolled in the area excluding nullification regions I1 and I2.

In electronic apparatus 130, heights hD1, hD2, hD3, and hD4 of steps D1,D2, D3, and D4 around display unit 103 are substantially equal(substantially constant) to each other, and first width wI1 and secondwidth wI2 of the nullification region are substantially equal to eachother. That is, since the heights of the steps are equal to each other,it is considered that amounts of the collected water droplets in thevicinity of the step are approximate to each other, and thus first widthwI1 and second width wI2 of the nullification region are substantiallyequal (constant) to each other regardless of an aspect ratio of displayunit 103.

In electronic apparatus 130 as describe above, it is assumed that thewidths of the nullification region are equal to each other when theheights of the step are constant. However, it is not limited thereto.Considering that as the height of the step becomes larger, an amount ofthe collected water droplets in the vicinity of the step becomes larger,the width of the nullification region may become wide in accordance withthe height of the step. For example, when hD2>hD4, the widths may be setto satisfy wI1>wI2. When hD2<hD4, the widths may be set to satisfywI1<wI2.

In electronic apparatus 130, a touch operation by a finger or the likeis detected by touch panel unit 2. However, it is not limited thereto.For example, as in electronic apparatuses 1, 50, 60, and 70, a touchoperation may be determined by using pressure detection unit 3 and thelike.

The present invention may be applied to an electronic apparatus using anelectrostatic capacitive touch panel, such as a smart phone.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic apparatus comprising: a casing; adisplay unit that is disposed in the casing, has a predetermined shape,and displays predetermined information; an electrostatic capacitivetouch panel that has a shape substantially the same as the predeterminedshape and determines a two-dimensional coordinate indicated by aninstructing object which has some conductivity and through which displayof the display unit passes; a gravity sensor that enables detection of aperpendicular direction; and a step that is disposed along a side of thepredetermined shape, is low on an inside of the predetermined shape andis high on an outside of the predetermined shape, wherein anullification region at which the two-dimensional coordinate isnullified is enabled to be disposed along the side, and thenullification region is disposed along the side in the perpendiculardirection.
 2. The electronic apparatus of claim 1, wherein a position ofthe nullification region disposed along the side in the perpendiculardirection is changed depending on rotation of the casing and a change ofthe perpendicular direction of the casing.
 3. The electronic apparatusof claim 1, wherein a height of the step is substantially constantregardless of the side of the predetermined shape.
 4. The electronicapparatus of claim 3, wherein the nullification region has apredetermined width along the side, and the predetermined width issubstantially constant regardless of the perpendicular direction.
 5. Theelectronic apparatus of claim 1, wherein the display unit enablesdisplay of the two-dimensional coordinate, and the display unit does notdisplay the two-dimensional coordinate corresponding to thenullification region.
 6. The electronic apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe predetermined shape is quadrangular.
 7. The electronic apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the touch panel enables determination of thetwo-dimensional coordinate indicated by the instructing object which isat a predetermined distance from the touch panel.
 8. The electronicapparatus of claim 7, wherein the instructing object is a finger of aperson, and the touch panel enables determination of the two-dimensionalcoordinate indicated by the finger covered with gloves which have aninsulation property.
 9. The electronic apparatus of claim 1, furthercomprising: a transparent member that is disposed to be stacked on thetouch panel and has some transmittance, wherein the touch panel isdisposed between the transparent member and the display unit.
 10. Theelectronic apparatus of claim 9, wherein the transparent member and thetouch panel are integrally formed.
 11. The electronic apparatus of claim9, wherein the casing has an edge portion at at least one portion of thesurroundings of the touch panel, and the step is formed between the edgeportion and the transparent member.
 12. The electronic apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the display unit performs predetermined display at thenullification region.
 13. The electronic apparatus of claim 12, whereinthe predetermined display refers to filling of the nullification regionwith a predetermined color.
 14. The electronic apparatus of claim 13,wherein the predetermined color is black.
 15. The electronic apparatusof claim 13, wherein the filling with the predetermined color isperformed to have some transmittance.